Advice on a beginner pc build ($600-$650)

dcsheehan · Nov 12, 2013

Hey guys, I need to build myself a new PC. I plan on using it for light gaming and some video editing, and I want to start learning how to code, so I need it to be able to do that too. As for the gaming, it won't be very demanding, just some indie games. I know it's a tight budget, but I really don't need this PC to do too much. I hope you guys can help me, so thanks in advance!

Approximate Purchase Date: Around Cyber Monday, where there are lots of deals.

Budget Range: $600, $650 max (I know it's tight)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Video Editing, Coding

Parts to Upgrade: Everything except OS and monitor.

Do you need to buy OS: No, my brother can give me a copy of Windows.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: It doesn't matter.

Location: N.J, U.S.A.

Parts Preferences: Just the best parts!

Overclocking: If you can fit it in.

SLI or Crossfire: Don't care.

Your Monitor Resolution: I have a 1920 x 1080 monitor.

Games I will be playing: Indie games, Valve games, MineCraft.

Additional Comments: I'm sorry I'm on a tight budget, but I don't have much money. I won't be playing very demanding titles, so I don't think the PC will need to be too fancy.

Thanks in advance, and if you need more info from me, just ask me.

rvilkman · Nov 12, 2013

Something like this is your best bet.
PC part picker build.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/21mRU
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/21mRU/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/21mRU/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($117.97 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($103.99 @ Mac Mall)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($76.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill Challenger-U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $616.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-12 17:14 EST-0500)

WarWolverineWarrior · Nov 12, 2013

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill Challenger-U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $659.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-12 17:17 EST-0500)

dcsheehan · Nov 12, 2013

Just wondering, how will the 7870 perform on say, BF4?

Amit Parmar · Nov 12, 2013

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($71.65 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($200.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Plus 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $672.58
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-12 17:24 EST-0500)

Sorry it's a little over what price range you have but it has a fully modular power supply so you don't have to find a place to put all the extra wires (this case doesn't have a lot of space. I got a really good ASUS motherboard and DDR3-1866 which will be much better for Minecraft because this games loves high speed RAM. 500GB because Indie Games and Valve games aren't generally that big.

Amit Parmar · Nov 12, 2013

dcsheehan :

On Ultra you get about 30fps but on medium it should get some more.

dcsheehan · Nov 12, 2013

Alright, thanks. I don't mind playing on lower settings if it means more fps.

Amit Parmar · Nov 12, 2013

And the 270x is a rebranded 7950

WarWolverineWarrior · Nov 12, 2013

Amit Parmar :

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/battlefield-4-graphics-card-performance,3634-8.html

Probably 50+ fps on Ultra if AA is turned off.

BTW the one I posted is GZ edition so it should perform better.

WarWolverineWarrior · Nov 12, 2013

Found this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvR2YCgSG0s

Same GPU and CPU

Based on the Review, you can game 60fps with no AA on Full HD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127722&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

WarWolverineWarrior · Nov 12, 2013

BTW which part of Jersey do you live? If you live close to Patterson, you can go to MicroCenter and get I5-4670k, pick up only.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/413251/Core_i5_4670K_34GHz_Socket_LGA_1150_Boxed_Processor

dcsheehan · Nov 12, 2013

No, I'm in South Jersey, so Patterson is out of the question.

Amit Parmar · Nov 12, 2013

Are you sure you want to game on 1080p? Any game you are playing will be good but if you are playing BF4 you may want some other new games very soon.

WarWolverineWarrior · Nov 12, 2013

dcsheehan :

Ok, so the setup I posted should be good enough for what you are doing.

Amit Parmar · Nov 12, 2013

WarWolverineWarrior :

No offence but your mobo and PSU are extremely cheap and not very good quality.

WarWolverineWarrior · Nov 12, 2013

Amit Parmar :

Well I was building muscle pc on a budget.

I trust ASUS as a good company and the board supports 1600+Mhz Ram, so that's why I chose that and it was cheap.

I chose that PSU because it is 80 plus Bronze certified 12v rail (Semi Modular)(Also has 4+/5 Star rating). If I had more $$ room to spare, I would get Antec or Seasonic.

Amit Parmar · Nov 12, 2013

WarWolverineWarrior :

Amit Parmar :

Well I was building muscle pc on a budget.

I trust ASUS as a good company and the board supports 1600+Mhz Ram, so that's why I chose that and it was cheap.

I chose that PSU because it is 80 plus Bronze certified 12v rail (Semi Modular)(Also has 4+/5 Star rating). If I had more $$ room to spare, I would get Antec or Seasonic.

Seems reasonable enough. But I'm not sure if you need a cooler unless the OP plans to OC. But even if he isn't he still might want to get it because AMD stock coolers are terrible.

dcsheehan · Nov 12, 2013

If I could OC, that would be nice, but I don't need it.

rvilkman · Nov 13, 2013

Anyway installing a nice aftermarket tower cooler such as Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo or Xigamatek Gaia will keep your cpu nice and cool at a noise level which is much more acceptable than the basic cooler, if you can afford the $30 or so that they cost. If not then you can certainly manage without. They are just generally easiest to install while you are putting the computer together anyway.

Advice on a beginner pc build ($600-$650)

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